Who: "My Big Fab Gay Garden Wedding" is especially for all LGBT love-birds planning to renew their vows or make their commitment official during WorldPride 2014 in Toronto. At press time, the Toronto Botanical Garden was inviting 20 gay couples to submit an application -- and each could bring 10 of their friends and family to attend.

Why: "We at the Toronto Botanical Gardens are extending a warm welcome to all LGBT couples, worldwide, who are visiting Toronto during WorldPride," says Liz Hood, Director of Education at the Toronto Botanical Garden. "We're inviting these couples to come and get married -- for free -- at the Toronto Botanical Gardens. Many gay couples around the world, depending where they live, may not be able to be out, or have the right to be married, and so why not celebrate couples who want to come and be married?"

The Perennial Border is designed with all flowers reflecting the colours of the rainbow, the international symbol of diversity and LGBT inclusivity.

This is a hallmark event for so many reasons. The battle for recognition of same-sex relationships around the world, and in Toronto, has been a long, difficult road. It's particularly fitting that we, in Canada, extend this ceremony to citizens of countries where same-sex marriage is illegal, and where discrimination based on sexual orientation continues to run rampant. And, for an institution as iconic as the Toronto Botanical Garden to host this event is important as well.

Well, you can bet your bottom begonias it wouldn't have happened 20 years ago. Today? It almost seems like a blooming miracle! Well done!